Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance have asked the state for a Certificate of Public Advantage to allow a merger, which would result in less competition for health care services in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Due to the size of the region, the size of the population impacted and the involvement of two states, this is an unprecedented proposal, not only in Tennessee but across the country. The Tennessee Department of Health takes its role in this process very seriously on behalf of Tennesseans.

The applicants have requested to make additional submissions to the application and have requested that the department withdraw its decision in September deeming the application complete.

Based on the unique nature of this application, it is appropriate to accept and consider additional information and grant the applicants' request. Therefore, the application is currently deemed not complete, and the 120-day deadline to act on the application has not yet started.